Milwaukee County Board to consider changes to warming shelter opening policies

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Members of the Milwaukee County Board are pushing local warming shelters to open their doors when it gets below 32 degrees.

Right now, the policy is to open at 20 degrees.

Two supervisors wanted to use the concept of “Code Blue Emergency” policy. It is a designation used by homeless services in several U.S. cities. It would provide certain services when the outside air drops below freezing.

“People should not be out long-term in freezing temperatures,” Supervisor Steven Shea of the 8th District said. “This year we had some Milwaukee County residents who did freeze to death. In a civilized society, that just shouldn’t happen.”

A committee voted in favor of the change, it will be sent to the full board for consideration next week.